Defence Backing For Gay Ban (Press, 24 October 1989)
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Summary: Defence Backing For Gay Ban (Press, 24 October 1989)
On 24 October 1989, a report by a military research centre recommending that the United States Armed Forces reassess their policy prohibiting homosexuals from serving was rejected by the Defence Department. The "New York Times" highlighted that a senior official described the draft report as flawed, offensive, and a misuse of government resources in an internal memo. This correspondence expressed concerns that the report exceeded its intended scope by not only assessing security risks associated with homosexuals in the military, but also questioning their overall suitability for military service. The Defence Department has maintained that individuals engaging in homosexual behaviour threaten the “discipline, good order and morale” within the armed forces. This stance was formalised in 1982 when the policy was broadened to encompass not just those engaging in homosexual acts but also individuals considered to have a “propensity” toward such behaviour.
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